Buying an Elise over 50k - Risky?
Discussion
Get it checked over by someone who knows the cars - if you want advice call a specialist and see what they say.
Over 50k you'll want to be sure of history, want to know what expensive bits have gone already & been sorted or are likely to go in the next 30k. Then you can balance the saving on intial purchase vs. what you think will need doing in the time you're planning on keeping it. Same as any other car really!
Ask the owner lots of questions - what have they done to it? What has it been used for? Daily Commute, weekend toy, track days etc? Let them take you for a drive and see how they drive it - if they're ragging its arse off all the time then perhaps thats how they've treated it throughout its life? All these things to bear in mind.
Also consider how the car is kept - if someone lovingly cares for their car and sounds gutted to let it go, chances are it's been treated well and maintained with TLC.
There are some pretty long legged Elises out there still going strong so no need to run a mile just because it's got a higher than average (for an Elise) mileage. Just approach with caution and common sense and you should be ok - you never know, you might find an absolute gem.
>> Edited by S Works on Wednesday 23 March 14:27
Over 50k you'll want to be sure of history, want to know what expensive bits have gone already & been sorted or are likely to go in the next 30k. Then you can balance the saving on intial purchase vs. what you think will need doing in the time you're planning on keeping it. Same as any other car really!
Ask the owner lots of questions - what have they done to it? What has it been used for? Daily Commute, weekend toy, track days etc? Let them take you for a drive and see how they drive it - if they're ragging its arse off all the time then perhaps thats how they've treated it throughout its life? All these things to bear in mind.
Also consider how the car is kept - if someone lovingly cares for their car and sounds gutted to let it go, chances are it's been treated well and maintained with TLC.
There are some pretty long legged Elises out there still going strong so no need to run a mile just because it's got a higher than average (for an Elise) mileage. Just approach with caution and common sense and you should be ok - you never know, you might find an absolute gem.
>> Edited by S Works on Wednesday 23 March 14:27
Have a look on Seloc. There is a thread running about the highest mileage Elise. There are several with over 100,000 miles and loads with 50,000 plus. Obviously consumables will have to be replaced (apart from one guy who has apparently done 90,000 miles on the same brake pads)but other than that if they are well looked after it shouldnt be a problem
steff said:
50k??
Sounds a bit pricey for an Elise!
Oh yes ;-)
My car is at about 60K, 4 years old, lotsa track and hard road running, almost zero commuting, and it's better than it's ever been . . .
High milage cars, these days, are bargains that most people are too blinkered to buy . . . which is great because those of us who know this get cheap cars ;-)
Fd
Sold my 2002/52 plate Elise with 32K on the clock a few weeks back. The car was in superb order, all services done, and as mentioned I was that owner very sad to see it go!
A mate has a K series engined Rover 200 with over 200K in the clock and still going strong. Check the history carefully, make sure it's been servied properly and that the cam-belt has been done. It should fall due at 54K. 9K intervals - Servicing sequence A-A-B-A-A-C with the C service being the cambelt.
At 50K, if it hasn't had paint, expect stonechips to the front and side skirts, and there will be some seat/interior wear. Budget £500 to sort the paint if it bothers you. But there really is very little to go wrong on the Elise. If it's a good price and it all rings true, go for it!
A mate has a K series engined Rover 200 with over 200K in the clock and still going strong. Check the history carefully, make sure it's been servied properly and that the cam-belt has been done. It should fall due at 54K. 9K intervals - Servicing sequence A-A-B-A-A-C with the C service being the cambelt.
At 50K, if it hasn't had paint, expect stonechips to the front and side skirts, and there will be some seat/interior wear. Budget £500 to sort the paint if it bothers you. But there really is very little to go wrong on the Elise. If it's a good price and it all rings true, go for it!
my car has done 60K in 2.5 years...high mileage, but lots of motorway stuff, and under a lease maintainance contract so gets everything replaced possible 
If a car has been looked after, and well maintained, then I wouldnt worry too much about the mileage..Id be more worried over a 3K mile per year car, that hadnt been service yearly, still had its original tyres on after 5 years etc....more likely its going to need more work doing to it and all the niggles sorted
If a car has been looked after, and well maintained, then I wouldnt worry too much about the mileage..Id be more worried over a 3K mile per year car, that hadnt been service yearly, still had its original tyres on after 5 years etc....more likely its going to need more work doing to it and all the niggles sorted
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